Lice and Scabies Flashcards
What are some things to look out for when checking for lice, and how to respond?
Check your child’s hair for eggs
If you suspect your child has head lice, ask your health care provider to diagnose the problem and recommend appropriate treatment
Tell us if your child is diagnosed as having head lice
If head lice is diagnosed, do not return your child to school until she or he has been treated and all nits have been removed (use lice shampoo and comb)
Can lice be transferred between individuals within seconds of contact?
No, lice need to sense the warmth of new victims for at least 2-3 minutes before they jump over
How often should we apply lice shampoo?
Apply every 6-10 days to ensure that lice from hatched nits are also killed. This helps us prevent lice from maturing and laying more eggs
How are lice transmitted?
Mainly seen in younger children
Head-to-head and sharing hats are the most probable route of transmission
There is no difference in clean and dirty hair for lice infestation
What is the difference between nits and lice?
Nits are lice eggs and they are attached tightly to hair shafts. They are closer when unhatched, but can move 1 away from scalp once hatched
Lice insects that emerge from nits
How do you properly check for lice?
Use a lice comb and section off portions of hair and use a systematic approach to search each section.
Is GBH/lindane (Kwellada) commonly used today?
No, this has been off the market for many years. GBH is an insecticide and it was formulated into a lice treatment for humans. GBH/Kwellada was removed from the market because it was used incorrectly for lice
What are pyrethrins and how does one use them?
Chrysanthemum plant extract and it is usually combined with piperonyl butoxide (a potency enhancer)
Safer than GBH
Directions for use:
Apply to dry hair
Shampoo for 10 minutes
Then wash it out
This is a 7 day treatment with 2 doses to ensure we hit original lice and lice from hatched nits 7 days after the first application
Is treating furniture and other objects for lice effective?
Not really, lice don’t last long off the scalp. If they aren’t on the scalp, they are probably dying
How is permethrin 1% as an effective lice treatment?
It is a synthetic pyrethroid
It is a very safe compund
Directions for use:
Wash hair with regular shampoo
Add creme rinse for 10 min
Rinse out
Although package says no repeats needed, it doesn’t hurt to dose in 7 days
Is the concern about increasing resistance in lice against traditional insecticide-based treatments?
Yes, but the amount of information on this topic is limited
What is the purpose of physical agents in lice treatment?
They physically disrupt the movement of lice
ex. of physical agents
coconut/anise oil
dimethicone
these agents are far safer compared to insecticide agents
What the treatment option of choice for lice?
NYDA (dimethicone)
Applied topically and it penetrates deeply
Following 30 min of contact, then start nit-combing with product still in hair
Leave on for 8 hours
Take shower
Nit comb again
Reapply whether lice seem to be active
Can lice treated without an insecticide or physical agent?
Yes, lice combing every 3 days for 2 weeks is an effective treatment option, but it puts the child in a lot of pain associated with tugging on hair
What are some other lice treatments?
Benzyl alcohol
neem oil
Wet-combing
Application of heat
